Introduction
Platform engineering has emerged as a critical discipline within the cloud-native ecosystem, focusing on the design, development, and governance of platform-as-a-product (PaaP) systems. As the Cloud Native Computing Foundation (CNCF) continues to evolve, its Platform Engineering Working Group has undergone significant restructuring, reflecting the growing need for sociotechnical collaboration and cross-project innovation. This article explores the recent transformations, initiatives, and future directions of the CNCF Platform Engineering Community, highlighting its role in shaping the future of platform engineering.
Key Updates and Transformations
Organizational Restructuring
The Platform Engineering Working Group has transitioned from the "app delivery" label to the newly established "CNCF Platform Engineering Community," a move aimed at fostering more dynamic collaboration. This shift addresses several challenges:
- Technical Advisory Group (TAC) Limitations: The TAC’s focus on technical aspects necessitated a broader sociotechnical integration to align with evolving industry needs.
- Scalability Concerns: With over 1,000 Slack members, the previous structure struggled to support agile growth, prompting a reorganization of the Technical Oversight Committee (TOC).
- New Labeling and Governance: The redefined label emphasizes the community’s role as a cross-domain collaboration hub, enabling horizontal initiatives across CNCF projects.
Community Vision
The CNCF Platform Engineering Community now serves as a rallying point for developers, end-users, and suppliers. Its primary objectives include:
- Cross-Project Collaboration: Facilitating initiatives that span multiple CNCF projects and labels, such as new project孵化 and resource sharing.
- Innovation and Advocacy: Driving the development of platform-as-a-product frameworks and addressing emerging challenges in scalability, security, and user experience.
Emerging Initiatives and Activities
Platform Lean Coffee Meetups
Daily sessions during CubeCon focus on topics like AI integration and security, encouraging open discussions. These meetups aim to create a flexible knowledge-sharing environment, with future events accessible via LinkedIn and Twitter.
Content Club
Monthly thematic discussions (e.g., platform productization, security) are led by community members, with shared content and open feedback. Participation requires joining the Slack channel to engage in real-time collaboration.
Existing Projects and Progress
Platform Whitepaper and Maturity Model
- Whitepaper (2021): Defines platform engineering’s role within CNCF, emphasizing its value as a product. It outlines the lifecycle from development to user experience.
- Maturity Model (2023, Paris): A framework for assessing organizational platform engineering maturity. A self-assessment tool is currently under development to guide users in identifying growth opportunities.
- Research Focus: Exploring the evolving nature of platform-as-a-product, incorporating feedback from end-users and industry trends.
Future Plans and Community Engagement
Community Structure and Leadership
- Leadership Transition: Current coordinator Colin Griffin will step down, inviting new members to take on roles such as coordinators or project leads. The community seeks to define leadership structures and advocacy frameworks.
- Certification Programs: Two certification tracks are in development:
- CloudNative Platform Engineering Assistant: In draft stage, with active community involvement in content creation and question design.
- CloudNative Platform Engineer: Scheduled for release following the assistant certification.
CubeCon Activities
- Tag App Delivery Project: QR codes link to project websites, with in-person team interactions at the conference. Sessions include talks and workshops on platform engineering, encouraging attendees to pre-book slots.
- Discounts: CubeCon and CloudNative Con participants receive a 40% discount, promoting broader engagement.
Technical Focus and Collaboration Mechanisms
Core Concepts
- Platform as a Product (PaaP): Emphasizes the value chain of development, operations, and user experience, ensuring platforms are designed with end-user needs in mind.
- Maturity Model Integration: Combines self-assessment tools with user research to provide actionable insights for organizational improvement.
Community Collaboration
- Knowledge Sharing: Slack, LinkedIn, and other channels enable real-time collaboration, fostering a culture of open innovation.
- Cross-Project Synergy: Encourages partnerships across CNCF projects to accelerate the development of new tools and resources.
Conclusion
The CNCF Platform Engineering Community represents a pivotal shift toward sociotechnical collaboration, addressing the complexities of modern platform engineering. By embracing initiatives like the Content Club, Lean Coffee Meetups, and certification programs, the community aims to cultivate a unified ecosystem for innovation. As the platform-as-a-product paradigm evolves, active participation in these initiatives will be crucial for shaping its future. Developers, end-users, and suppliers are encouraged to engage with the community, contribute to ongoing projects, and stay informed about emerging trends in platform engineering.